Cornerback Denzel Ward set the tone with an opening drive pick-six, and the Cleveland Browns‘ offense followed suit with a balanced attack to dismantle the Cincinnati Bengals, 41-16, in Week 9.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield tossed two scores and made zero turnover-worthy plays following a putrid passing performance last week. All of it was needed for the Browns to get back over .500 with their fifth win of the season.
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Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Mayfield delivered in the passing game following a dismal showing last week. His pending 76.6 passing grade featured a 77.6% adjusted completion percentage, a 12.4-yard average depth of target, two big-time throws and no turnover-worthy plays. He finished the afternoon with 218 yards passing and two scores.
Running Back
In his second game back from a two-week injury, Nick Chubb churned out the big runs that mattered. He put up five explosive runs on the day and six rushing first downs en route to 137 yards on the ground on just 14 carries.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Donovan Peoples-Jones took the top off of a leaky Bengals secondary to the tune of two explosive receiving plays, 86 yards, two first downs and a score. David Njoku got in on the action with an 18-yard touchdown reception.
Offensive Line
Cleveland allowed eight pressures and finished with a 65.7 pass-blocking grade on first review. However, Mayfield was sacked only sacked and hurried just five times.
Defensive Line
The Browns secured five sacks, six hits and 19 total pressures on Joe Burrow. Myles Garrett recorded three sacks and five total pressures as he continues his Defensive Player of The Year campaign.
Linebacker
Although Malcolm Smith allowed four catches during his 48.8 coverage grade outing on first review, he made a tackle for loss to assist his pending 70.0 run-defense grade.
Secondary
Denzel Ward was targeted just four times all afternoon, but he delivered a pick-six while also forcing two incompletions in a stellar 93.1 coverage grade performance on first review.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow’s pending 70.0 passing grade featured only one turnover-worthy play, but that one was his costly interception that became a pick-six and set the tone for a long day. Burrow finished with more interceptions (3) than big-time throws (2) in arguably his worst statistical game of the season.
Running Back
Joe Mixon put up 69 rushing yards, two explosive runs and four rushing first downs. He was even more productive in the passing game, with a pending 81.0 receiving grade that featured three first-down catches.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ja'Marr Chase had a rather underwhelming day, catching seven of his 14 targets. He did have two explosive receptions, but he also dropped a pass and lost a fumble to finish with a pending 53.0 receiving grade. Tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Drew Sample combined for seven catches and three first downs on eight targets.
Offensive Line
After a promising start, the Bengals’ offensive line fizzled out and earned a pending 60.7 pass-blocking grade. Hakeem Adeniji allowed two hurries and a hit for a poor 31.8 pass-blocking grade on first review.
Defensive Line
The Bengals finished with a 70.4 pass-rushing grade and 11 total pressures. Sam Hubbard logged four pressures, including a sack, and is on track to earn a 90.0-plus pass-rushing grade.
Linebacker
Logan Wilson made two stops and a tackle for loss while also forcing a fumble. Germaine Pratt logged three stops and is set to pace the linebacker group from a grading perspective.
Secondary
Eli Apple was victimized in coverage, allowing four catches, two first downs, 101 yards and a deep score to Donovan Peoples-Jones.
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